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First off. This has been a great thread to read. I wish you the best of luck.
Secondly. Do it.
Thirdly. You'll find friends along the way who will help you. If we met on the water, I'd except that from you.
Lastly. I'm doing this as well. Here's the plan I'm working on: I will graduate from university (film writing/directing) in April. I'm likely to buy an Alberg 30 this summer with a boat mortgage. I'll live on the boat, year round in Toronto until it is paid off. I work, take navigation courses, and volunteer with other offshore-thinking sailors. I'll prepare the boat during this time (self-steering, safety equip, etc.) and finally I'm off, with at least $500 CAN in the bank.
The great thing about living on board is you save a lot of money and get used to the small accommodations. That said, you live at home, so thats very cheap. Perhaps you could work, and with discipline dump all the money you save on rent and food into your boat.
I feel obligated to share some more personal advice, being similar but finished university. If you finish school and sailing is your goal, get a good education in the arts like philosophy, english, history, cultural studies etc. I'm making this choice about sailing because my education has taught me to see the local world for what it is, and I can't say I'll feel free in the rat race. There is a philosophy to living like a gypsy. Something tells me you have a great fascination with the world. There are a lot of answers at the library. You've read a lot about sailing, but try Jean Paul Satre's "Nausea", or Jean-Jacques Rousseau's "Reveries of a Silent Walker". Build your intellectual confidence and stay away from drinking alcohol alone. Dreamers tend to do that.
I'm 22. I hope that's encouraging.
Cheers
J
Also. It would be great for you to post again when you've bought the boat. Once you do that, you're committed.
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